clay — a heavy sticky earth that becomes hard when baked, used for making pottery and bricks
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a heavy sticky earth that becomes hard when baked, used for making pottery and bricks
Pronunciation (IPA): /kleɪ/
Example Sentences
- My white shirt turned into a clay masterpiece after the pottery class disaster.
- The archaeologists discovered ancient clay tablets with mysterious recipes.
- She stepped in clay and left footprints that looked like modern art.
clay
NOUN[/kleɪ/]
a heavy sticky earth that becomes hard when baked, used for making pottery and bricks
Sticky earth for making pottery
Shaping clay in creative play all day
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Old English 'clæg', meaning 'sticky substance' or 'adhesive material'. Clay has been one of humanity's earliest building materials, integral to civilizations for thousands of years.
Breakdown
Old English clæg (sticky thing) → modern English clay. The word likely relates to Proto-Germanic *klai-, connected to the concept of clinging or sticking.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My white shirt turned into a clay masterpiece after the pottery class disaster.”
“The archaeologists discovered ancient clay tablets with mysterious recipes.”
“She stepped in clay and left footprints that looked like modern art.”
“The clay court at Wimbledon would be quite a shocking change.”
“Clay is one of the most important materials in human civilization.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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